BJ ranks saints midfield.

[saynta]

From herald sun.com.au

"13. ST KILDA

THE TOP-LINERS

Seb Ross (22, 98), Dan Hannebery (5, 96), Jack Steele (20, 95), Jack Billings (22, 94), Luke Dunstan (18, 93), Zak Jones (17, 86), Bradley Hill (22, 84), Jade Gresham (19, 84)

THE TOP-UPS

Ed Phillips (4, 63), Doulton Langlands (3, 53), Jack Bytel (0, 0)

Goddard says: The Saints have a capable midfield, but it’s one that simply doesn’t have the A-Grade talent of other sides. In saying that, I wouldn’t be surprised if Billings or Gresham moved themselves up into that bracket next year. St Kilda will be hoping for much more out Hannebery after a disappointing, injury-interrupted year. Steele and Ross are ever consistent with their form and I like the recruitment of Hill from Fremantle, who adds some much-needed outside speed."

[Secret Kiel]

It begs the question, how much A grade talent does a flag contender need?

The tigers had, Dusty, Cotchin, Prestia, Edwards, Elliss and Caddy.

Four of those are genuine A graders or better.

I reckon a premiership teams need a minimum of 4 A graders.

[Secret Kiel]

We need Sinclair to take it to the next level. If we don't get buy in from likes of Sinclair to raise the stakes then our depth in the midfield will stagnate. We have to get organic improvement from the midfielders on the list before Hanneberry, Hill and Jones arrived.

[Enrico_Misso]

What does "Seb Ross (22, 98)" mean?

[saintsRrising]

What does "Seb Ross (22, 98)" mean?

Well the first number is number of games played in 2019 by the player = 22 games.

[fugazi]

Guessing 98 are his average fantasy points

[fugazi]

But might be total games

[fugazi]

But might be total games

[Enrico_Misso]

Just hoping it isn't their IQ.

[Scollop]

BJ knows his stuff...that's for sure

But

He rates Essendon's mids above ours and I reckon we might have them covered in 2020

[Secret Kiel]

Essendon midfield is:

Bellchambers

Heppell

Stringer

Shiel

Merrett

Parrish

Devon Smith

Zaharakis


If we have this midfield covered in 2020 then we are top 4 bound.

[DJ Higgins]

Hard to disagree. No elites i our midfields, too may similar players ,and to be honest we live in hope that finally someone step sup. Until that happens we are not playing in September

[barneyboyz]

Some of those midfielders at the druggies are a little difficult to get a grasp of for mine. In a head to head battle, we'd get roughly the same numbers of deep entries, where generally they have been as efficient at kicking goals as us i.e. shyte.

Where they can be really good though, is the sustained run-on once they get their heads up, they can be freaking hard to stop. I don't buy the hype over them to be honest as I feel they have more passengers than the last plane out of Sydney, and the list management looks haphazard

Having said that, those pricks have a habit of proving you wrong. If they fire up it can be impressive

[skeptic]

This is why I was a bit bothered about Acres going...

Not that he was the be all and end all by any means but he was a different type of player to many of our others...

Ross, Dunstan, Hannebery and Steele...
Really don’t feel you want more than 2... 3 at an absolute push in the team. All not overly fast or with elite disposal. All of them are good players don’t get me wrong but I’d be happier with say Steele and one of Ross/Hannebery and a different type of player... say a big bodied Acres going through

Otherwise it’s too workman like

[saintsRrising]

But might be total games

No. ie Hannas has played 213 games

[freely]

This is why I was a bit bothered about Acres going...

Not that he was the be all and end all by any means but he was a different type of player to many of our others...

Ross, Dunstan, Hannebery and Steele...
Really don’t feel you want more than 2... 3 at an absolute push in the team. All not overly fast or with elite disposal. All of them are good players don’t get me wrong but I’d be happier with say Steele and one of Ross/Hannebery and a different type of player... say a big bodied Acres going through

Otherwise it’s too workman like

Clark and Gresh might be able to mix it up a bit over time.

[saynta]

BJ doesn't
rate oue backs or our forwards though.

[Secret Kiel]

Hill + Jones > Acres

How many times did Steele get beaten in 2019?

[barneyboyz]

This is why I was a bit bothered about Acres going...

Not that he was the be all and end all by any means but he was a different type of player to many of our others...

Ross, Dunstan, Hannebery and Steele...
Really don’t feel you want more than 2... 3 at an absolute push in the team. All not overly fast or with elite disposal. All of them are good players don’t get me wrong but I’d be happier with say Steele and one of Ross/Hannebery and a different type of player... say a big bodied Acres going through

Otherwise it’s too workman like

Losing Acres bothers me a bit too, he might just be that typical one who switches on under a different system. I hope he has a good career.

On the others, I would swap roles between Ross and Steele, I think the latter has shown that he can get plenty of the footy, all be it whilst stopping his opponent. Be worth looking at, and Ross needs something to change-up too.

Dunstan just needs to work with Hill over summer and learn his movement patterns, and we already know what Dan brings, if fit

[Saintmatt]

This is why I was a bit bothered about Acres going...

Not that he was the be all and end all by any means but he was a different type of player to many of our others...

Ross, Dunstan, Hannebery and Steele...
Really don’t feel you want more than 2... 3 at an absolute push in the team. All not overly fast or with elite disposal. All of them are good players don’t get me wrong but I’d be happier with say Steele and one of Ross/Hannebery and a different type of player... say a big bodied Acres going through

Otherwise it’s too workman like

1000%. Ditto on Acres - not necessarily better; but definitely different. Massive shame. He was also pretty handy when pushed forward to kick a goal.

My great hope is that Hanneberry and Steele are the two that play - one is at least a tackling machine and the other still has more class and good decison-making qualities in his broken foot than Ross and Dunstan do in their entire bodies. In an ideal world - Jack Bytel stepping up very quickly to replace one of Dunstan/Ross would be a sure sign of growth and depth.

[Saintmatt]

Essendon midfield is:

Bellchambers

Heppell

Stringer

Shiel

Merrett

Parrish

Devon Smith

Zaharakis


If we have this midfield covered in 2020 then we are top 4 bound.

That is actually a pretty good midfield on paper/screen. Only problem is that they are pretty much all outside players and becoming quite injury prone. Heppell and Smith in particular are flaky body-wise. We however, are pretty much all inside. Tom Cutler if he gets going will be a good get for them. I've thought for a while that swapping Seb Ross for one of Heppel or Zaharakis back in the day would've really benefited both clubs.

With the addition of Hill and Jones - we've evened the ledger somewhat this year - but I'd still say they're a little in front if both groups play to their capabilities

[Saintmatt]

Some of those midfielders at the druggies are a little difficult to get a grasp of for mine. In a head to head battle, we'd get roughly the same numbers of deep entries, where generally they have been as efficient at kicking goals as us i.e. shyte.

Where they can be really good though, is the sustained run-on once they get their heads up, they can be freaking hard to stop. I don't buy the hype over them to be honest as I feel they have more passengers than the last plane out of Sydney, and the list management looks haphazard

Having said that, those pricks have a habit of proving you wrong. If they fire up it can be impressive

Their run and carry comes from two players alone - McKenna and Saad. That's it. Their mids are outside but just link players - not many/if any generate their own ball.

[Secret Kiel]

Jack Bytel stepping up very quickly to replace one of Dunstan/Ross, like round 1?

[saynta]

Jack Bytel stepping up very quickly to replace one of Dunstan/Ross, like round 1?

Don't think so.

There is room for the three of them.

[Secret Kiel]

The word 'replace' was used